Effect of solid storage at 5°c on motility and fertility of Thai native chicken semen

Abstract

The objective of this research was to study effect of solid semen storage at 5°C on motility and fertility of Thai native chicken. Experiment 1, aim to evaluate the possible benefits of supplementation of gelatin and agar to IGGKP extender on motility of spermatozoa. The experiment was performed to compare between seven semen treatments on sperm motility in vitro, 1) extender (control), 2) extender + 0.7% gelatin, 3) extender + 1.4% gelatin, 4) extender + 2.5% gelatin, 5) extender + 0.3% agar, 6) extender + 0.5% agar and 7) extender + 0.7% agar. Semen samples were stored at 5°C for 72 h and four replication were carried on. After semen sample were prewarmed to 37°C the sperm motility characteristics were assessed using Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis (CASA). The results showed that percentage of total motile sperm were 56.0, 70.8, 70.0, 70.8, 56.6, 38.3 and 26.4, respectively. The gelatin extender was superior to control and agar extender (P<0.05). Percentage of progressive motile sperm were 51.9, 58.6, 62.0, 62.9, 44.3, 24.0 and 11.8, respectively. The 1.4 and 2.1% gelatin extender was superior to control and agar extender (P<0.05). And percentage of static sperm were. 20.0, 4.8, 4.9, 5.9, 16.2, 39.3 and 52.0, respectively. The gelatin extender was lower than control and agar extender (P<0.05). In vitro storage of spermatozoa in gelatin extender improved motility. In experiment 2, the fertility test was carried on to compare seven groups of semen as in experiment 1. Semen were stored for 72 h. and then inseminated to layer hens. Fertility of eggs were 37.4, 47. 2, 45.6, 30.5, 35.6, 16.7 and 4.4%, respectively. The fertility of 0.7% gelatin group was higher than 2.1 % gelatin and agar groups (P<0.05) but it was similar to 1.4% gelatin and control groups. The result of the present study suggest that adding gelatin at appropriate level to the extender leads to improve the survival ability of Native chicken sperm in vitro at 5 °C.